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Deaths from drinking illicit liquor, often spiked with chemicals such as pesticides to increase potency, are not uncommon in India. Photo: Collected
At least 19 people have died after allegedly consuming spurious liquor in Nagaland, India, prompting Indian police to form a special team to track the illicit supply chain in a state where alcohol has been prohibited since 1990.
The fatalities were reported over the past two days, with
Mokokchung district recording eight deaths and Tuensang district reporting 11
following the consumption of suspected bootleg alcohol, police said on
Saturday.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by Additional
Superintendent of Police I Bunglang Chang, has been formed to probe the
incident and trace the source of the adulterated brew, according to Senior
Superintendent of Police Vesupra Kezo.
"Samples have been sent to Guwahati for forensic examination to ascertain the cause of death," Kezo said. "We have obtained some leads, but it is premature to disclose details."
Following the deaths, law enforcement agencies conducted
multiple raids across the region, arresting 19 individuals and seizing nearly 3,000
bottles of illicit liquor.
Authorities have urged residents to avoid unidentified,
unlabelled, or suspected illicit alcohol, advising anyone experiencing
dizziness, blurred vision, breathing difficulties, or loss of consciousness
after drinking to seek immediate medical treatment.